Conservation Measures

Eravikulam National Park supports nearly 1,000 individuals
(Fox and Johnsingh, 1997; Kannery, 2002).This has to be
qualified as Eravikulam National Park and its immediate sorrounding areas, which
would be much more appropriate. The estimate of 1000 Tahrs for Eravikulam alone
given by the forest department has always been mired in controversy with alleged
double counts happening due to poor visibility compunded by mist. The previous
estimationwas 700+ and subsequent estimation was also
700+. Abraham et al (2006) estimated the total population of the
Tahr in the state of Kerala as 998 of which 696 are in Eravikulam and the rest
spread over the remaining part of the State. Earlier, Mishra and Johsingh (1998)
had suggested that the population of the Tahr in Anaimalai Hills and
Parambikulam WLS could be in the range 570-690. When the population within the
Eravikulam NP is taken into consideration, this conservation unit could be the
home for around 1400 Tahr (Abraham et al, 2006)

The general trends of
decline even in the best managed Tahr habitats indicate that the total
population of the species does not exceed 2000 at present and a conservative
estimate would place the numbers within 1800-2000 (Daniels et al., 2006).

Minimum Population
Size:
1800Maximum Population Size: 2000

The recent report by Daniels et al (2006)
suggested ways to strengthen the ongoing conservation initiatives. The
suggestions include control of poaching, extending strict protection measures,
dedicating more areas for the conservation of the Tahr in Tamilnadu, by
declaring the Palani Hills & High Wavy Mountains landscapes (Tamilnadu) a
Nilgiri Tahr sanctuary. Considering the fragmentation of habitat leading to
isolated populations, a landscape approach is required for the future
programmes. The report has further recommended assessment of quality of habitats
for their long term suitability and sustainability. Scientific means of
improving the available forage (as against the total grass/shrub biomass) has to
be seriously explored and adopted. Tamilnadu Forest Department is removing the
exotic monocultures along the periphery of the Mukurti National Park. This is a
commendable initiative and is worthy of replication in other Tahr ares overrun
by exotics. Inter-state cooperation in standardizing and synchronizing the
annual Tahr population estimation is must to arrive at statistcally valid
population estimates. Community participation for conservation has to be
encouraged. Without support of the local communities, conservation initiatives
will not take off in a thickly populated country like India.The addition
of adjoining areas of Munnar Forest Division and Marayur Forest Division to
Eravikulam National Park is very crucial for maintaining the existing population
of the Park.(Rice,C.G,1984). This proposal was subsequently endorsed by the
Kerala State Wildlife Advisory Board, but is still hanging
fire.

Proposals mooted during the 4th
World Coference on Mountain Ungulates

Delegates to the 4th World Congress on
Mountain Ungulates,held in Munnar,Kerala,India

from 12th and 15th September
2006 adopted the following resolutions.

Extend the Eravikulam National Park limits to
the ecological boundary of the Nilgiri Tahr population.

Establish pretected and functional corridors
between the isolated tahr populations in the Western Ghats.

Forestry, tourism and other activities in the
tahr landscape should respect conservation measures to protect the tahr and
its habitats.

Develop a protocol for monitoring the tahr
populations and habitats, and evaluate the ecological impact of tourism and
fire in the National Park.

Explore possibilities for the re-introduction of
tahr into parts of its historical range, from where it has been
extirpated.